Reproductive development and induced estrus in the prepubertal hamster

During puberty ovarian, hypothalamic, and behavioral processes become coordinated to foster reproductive success. The present study investigated the lordosis capability as a possible limiting factor in the initiation of puberty.Intact and castrate female golden hamsters at 18 to 28 days of age were found capable of demonstrating an adult-like lordosis response when primed with estrogen and progesterone. This is before ovulation or hypothalamic cyclicity is usual. In the hamster, then, estrous behavior is one of the first reproductive capabilities to mature. Early ovariectomy seems to delay the development of the tissues mediating lordosis. Ovarian maturation is probably the crucial limiting factor for puberty in the hamster.